Pam Tebow to speak in Hendersonville about her 'miracle baby'

By BRITTANY JACKSONTimes-News Staff Writer

Published: Sunday, September 22, 2013 at 1:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, September 22, 2013 at 11:04 a.m.

Her son is one of the most recognized names in professional football, but while Tim Tebow was still in his mother's womb, Pam Tebow was told to abort him because doctors said “It wasn't really a baby. It was a tumor,” she told a crowd at an event in March.

Despite almost losing her son several times during the pregnancy and being told that if she had him he would never be able to walk, run or have a normal life, Pam Tebow went against doctor advice and saw her pregnancy through.

As the guest speaker for this year's Open Arms Crisis Pregnancy Center Gala, Pam will share her story and testimony Tuesday at the Leila Patterson Center in Fletcher. The public is invited to the event, presented by Park Ridge Health and First Baptist Church of Hendersonville.

“We knew we didn't want to do the same thing we did last year, so we really prayed about it, and I really felt like God was saying to have Pam Tebow. God just put it on my heart and the (Open Arms) board said, 'Yes, let's go for it,'” said Joyce Wright, director of Open Arms in Hendersonville. “We didn't know where to find her or what to do, but we contacted her directly, and it all worked out.”

While she and her husband were missionaries in the Philippines in 1987, Pam was advised to have the abortion because of complications due to medication used for an amoeba infection, but she told the doctors “No.”

She has publicly referred to Tim as her “miracle baby,” after the doctor who delivered him called the baby a miracle because hardly any placenta was still attached — just enough to keep him alive. That miracle baby grew up to be the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner and a first-round NFL draft pick in 2010.

“I've spoken with Pam a few times. She will share her testimony on how God led her through that experience of not having the abortion and not listening to the doctors, but listening to God,” Wright said. “I think she has a terrific testimony of how God led her through that experience. (Open Arms) exists to help choose life, and she's a living example of that.”

The event is Open Arms' largest fundraiser of the year, and this year will be the largest yet.

“Last year we had about 350 people, and this year we anticipate having about 525 in attendance. We still have some seating left, but it is limited because we anticipate maxing out our space,” Wright said.

The crisis pregnancy center, located on Washington Street, helps meet the needs of women and girls in Henderson County and surrounding areas who require pregnancy support. Above all, Wright said, the center aims to help expectant mothers “choose life” rather than have abortions.

“I don't want to inflate the numbers, but I think we save more babies than we know because I think a lot of our clients don't tell us that they considered abortion,” Wright said. “Sometimes we find out after the baby is a year old. I know of six this year that have been saved from abortion, which is phenomenal.”

“We average between 75 and 85 clients per month, and we see our clients through their pregnancies until the babies are 18 months old,” Wright said. “We try to assist them with counseling, clothes, diapers and wipes, and we see a wide variety of clients. Within the last three years, more of our clients are younger — teenagers and in their 20s. What we do is try to help them make good decisions.”

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner, provided by Carrabba's Italian Grill, will be served at 6:30 p.m. There is no admission to attend, but donations are welcomed, as the Open Arms board hopes to raise between $80,000 and $150,000 to help keep it running smoothly through the next year.

Open Arms does ask that people who plan to attend call 828-515-1112 or email openarmsgala@gmail.com, as seating is limited.

“We want this evening to be enjoyable for the people who are coming,” Wright said, “and something they'll look forward to from year to year.”

<p>Her son is one of the most recognized names in professional football, but while Tim Tebow was still in his mother's womb, Pam Tebow was told to abort him because doctors said “It wasn't really a baby. It was a tumor,” she told a crowd at an event in March.</p><p>Despite almost losing her son several times during the pregnancy and being told that if she had him he would never be able to walk, run or have a normal life, Pam Tebow went against doctor advice and saw her pregnancy through.</p><p>As the guest speaker for this year's Open Arms Crisis Pregnancy Center Gala, Pam will share her story and testimony Tuesday at the Leila Patterson Center in Fletcher. The public is invited to the event, presented by Park Ridge Health and First Baptist Church of Hendersonville.</p><p>“We knew we didn't want to do the same thing we did last year, so we really prayed about it, and I really felt like God was saying to have Pam Tebow. God just put it on my heart and the (Open Arms) board said, 'Yes, let's go for it,'” said Joyce Wright, director of Open Arms in Hendersonville. “We didn't know where to find her or what to do, but we contacted her directly, and it all worked out.”</p><p>While she and her husband were missionaries in the Philippines in 1987, Pam was advised to have the abortion because of complications due to medication used for an amoeba infection, but she told the doctors “No.”</p><p>She has publicly referred to Tim as her “miracle baby,” after the doctor who delivered him called the baby a miracle because hardly any placenta was still attached — just enough to keep him alive. That miracle baby grew up to be the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner and a first-round NFL draft pick in 2010.</p><p>“I've spoken with Pam a few times. She will share her testimony on how God led her through that experience of not having the abortion and not listening to the doctors, but listening to God,” Wright said. “I think she has a terrific testimony of how God led her through that experience. (Open Arms) exists to help choose life, and she's a living example of that.”</p><p>The event is Open Arms' largest fundraiser of the year, and this year will be the largest yet.</p><p>“Last year we had about 350 people, and this year we anticipate having about 525 in attendance. We still have some seating left, but it is limited because we anticipate maxing out our space,” Wright said.</p><p>The crisis pregnancy center, located on Washington Street, helps meet the needs of women and girls in Henderson County and surrounding areas who require pregnancy support. Above all, Wright said, the center aims to help expectant mothers “choose life” rather than have abortions.</p><p>“I don't want to inflate the numbers, but I think we save more babies than we know because I think a lot of our clients don't tell us that they considered abortion,” Wright said. “Sometimes we find out after the baby is a year old. I know of six this year that have been saved from abortion, which is phenomenal.”</p><p>“We average between 75 and 85 clients per month, and we see our clients through their pregnancies until the babies are 18 months old,” Wright said. “We try to assist them with counseling, clothes, diapers and wipes, and we see a wide variety of clients. Within the last three years, more of our clients are younger — teenagers and in their 20s. What we do is try to help them make good decisions.”</p><p>Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner, provided by Carrabba's Italian Grill, will be served at 6:30 p.m. There is no admission to attend, but donations are welcomed, as the Open Arms board hopes to raise between $80,000 and $150,000 to help keep it running smoothly through the next year.</p><p>Open Arms does ask that people who plan to attend call 828-515-1112 or email openarmsgala@gmail.com, as seating is limited.</p><p>“We want this evening to be enjoyable for the people who are coming,” Wright said, “and something they'll look forward to from year to year.”</p>